Access control for electronic entertainment systems

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for controlling the use of electronic systems based upon monitored physical activity. The method can be implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The program instructions are operable to: provision rules associated with a user and at least one of health metrics and physical activity of the user; monitor the at least one health metrics and physical activity of the user over a predetermined time; and manage access to any of a plurality of electronic systems based on the monitored at least one health metrics and physical activity being in compliance or non-compliance with the provisioned rules.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods ofcontrolling access to electronic systems and more particularly, tosystems and methods of controlling the use of electronic entertainmentsystems based upon monitored physical activity.

BACKGROUND

The entertainment device industry, including video games, is anextremely high growth market. The technologies utilized by these systemsis changing rapidly and input methods that were once limited tokeystrokes, mouse movement, and joysticks now include innovations likegyroscopic controllers, motion sensors, and video cameras. In addition,not only are the systems and games improving, but the “intent” of somesystems is expanding to include personal health management.

While game console providers and game developers are attempting tofacilitate physical activity in their solutions, there are often ways tocircumvent the physical aspect of playing these games. For example, witha gyroscopic motion sensing controller, using just a simple wrist flickcan produce the same result as a full arm swing. Similarly, populardance games can be played using a joystick rather than a dance pad. Theintent of fitness related games is to motivate users to exert some levelof physical activity.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the invention, a method is implemented in acomputer infrastructure having computer executable code tangiblyembodied on a computer readable storage medium having programminginstructions. The program instructions are operable to: provision rulesassociated with a user and at least one of health metrics and physicalactivity of the user; monitor the at least one health metrics andphysical activity of the user over a predetermined time; and manageaccess to any of a plurality of electronic systems based on themonitored at least one health metrics and physical activity being incompliance or non-compliance with the provisioned rules.

In another aspect of the invention, a system implemented in hardwarecomprises a monitoring module configured to monitor physical activity orhealth metrics of a user. The system further comprises a rules moduleconfigured to obtain rules from an administrator, which define users andaccess limits for the user on an electronic gaming system. The systemfurther comprises an access module configured to obtain the monitoredphysical activity or health metrics of the user and the rules from therules module and, based on the physical activity or health metrics ofthe user and compliance with the rules, manage access by the user to oneor more electronic games played on the electronic gaming system.

In an additional aspect of the invention, a computer system for managingaccess to an electronic game is provided. The system a CPU, a computerreadable memory and a computer readable storage media. The systemfurther comprises first program instructions to obtain provisions froman administrator comprising one or more game provisions and userprovisions. The system further comprises second program instructions toobtain start up information from a user wanting access to an electronicgame. The system further comprises third program instructions to look upthe one or more game provisions and user provisions that leads to accessof the user to the electronic game by being in compliance with the oneor more game provisions and user provisions. The system furthercomprises fourth program instructions to obtain monitored or sensedphysical activity of the user in order to allow continued access of theuser to the electronic game. The first, second, third and fourth programinstructions are stored on the computer readable storage media forexecution by the CPU via the computer readable memory.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method of deploying a system formanaging access to an electronic entertainment system, comprisesproviding a computer infrastructure. The computer infrastructure isoperable to: provision rules associated with a user and at least one ofhealth metrics and physical activity of the user; monitor the at leastone health metrics and physical activity of the user over apredetermined time; and manage access to any of a plurality ofelectronic systems based on the monitored at least one health metricsand physical activity being in compliance or non-compliance with theprovisioned rules.

In still another aspect of the invention, a computer program productcomprises a computer usable storage medium having readable program codeembodied in the storage medium. The computer program product includes atleast one component operable to: provide an initial amount of credits toa user in order to access an electronic game on a gaming system; matchone or more game provisions and user provisions in order to manageaccess of the user to the electronic game by determining compliance withthe one or more game provisions and user provisions; and obtainmonitored or sensed physical activity of the user in order to allowcontinued access of the user to the electronic game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in the detailed description whichfollows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative environment for implementing the steps inaccordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a system implementing processes in accordance with aspectsof the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show exemplary flows implementing processes in accordancewith aspects of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary swim lane diagram implementing processes inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods ofmanaging and/or controlling access to electronic systems and moreparticularly, to systems and methods of managing and/or controlling theuse of electronic entertainment systems based upon monitored physicalactivity. In more specific embodiments, the systems and methods allowadministrators to monitor a user's physical activity and use such data(information) to manage access to electronic systems such as, forexample, limiting the use of electronic games either over the Internet,on personal gaming consoles or on a personal computer or portabledigital assistance such as, for example, a smart phone. Accordingly, itshould be realized by those of skill in the art that the invention isnot limiting to any type of gaming system and could be implemented ondedicated gaming systems, personal computer system, or even mobiledevices and mobile gaming systems.

The methods and systems of the present invention can, in embodiments,monitor physical activity of the user during the actual use of anelectronic game or other times such as, for example, when using exerciseequipment (e.g., treadmill, stationary bicycle, stair stepper, weightmachines, smart scales, logged time at a gym or exercise facility, orattendance at a school gym class, etc. (referred to generally as loggedinformation)). This information can then be used to manage the timeallotment a user may be allocated for using electronic games or accessto other electronic systems. In this way, the methods and systems of thepresent invention promote physical activity of game users, for example,by controlling and/or limiting usage of a gaming device based on thephysical activity (or lack thereof).

In embodiments, the methods and systems of the present invention candifferentiate physical game play from non-physical game play usingsensors and/or monitors such as, for example, caloric monitors, motionsensors, e.g., infrared analysis of in-room movement, as well as camerasthat are designed to monitor the movement of the user during game play.The information related to physical game play and non-physical game canbe used to control whether a user can continue to play the electronicgame or use other electronic systems. This control can be used, e.g., tolimit game play or other use of electronic systems between certain hoursof the day, for a predetermined number of hours per day, a certainamount of time which offsets an amount of time associated with physicalactivity of the user, etc. The present invention can also monitorphysical exertion as it relates to the actual game play such that, as auser exercises more, he/she is rewarded with enticements to continue thephysical activity. These enticements may include, for example, access togames that do not require any physical exertion.

In embodiments, the methods and systems provide a quota system such thatadministrators (e.g., parents, self, trainers, service providers, etc.)can manage limits on playing time or use of electronic systems basedupon physical activity. For example, credits can be earned by the userby participating in physical activity, and such credits can then be usedto access gaming systems. In examples, the administrator and userrelationship can include, for example: parent/child, teachers/studentsin education, medical advisors/patients in health care, etc.

System Environment

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations foraspects of the present invention may be written in any combination ofone or more programming languages, including an object orientedprogramming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The program codemay execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative environment 10 for controlling and/ormanaging the processes in accordance with the invention. To this extent,the environment 10 includes a server or other computing system 12 thatcan perform the processes described herein. In particular, the server 12includes a computing device 14. The computing device 14 can be residenton a network infrastructure or computing device of a third party serviceprovider (any of which is generally represented in FIG. 1). Thecomputing device can be, for example, a gaming console, a personalcomputer, a smart device such as, for example, a mobile smart phone orother electronic systems.

In embodiments, the computing device 14 and/or server 12 can be providedby a service provider, e.g., administrator, which can manage access toelectronic systems, e.g., electronic games, in accordance withpredefined rules. These predefined rules can be defined (provisioned) bythe administrator, e.g., service provider or a third party that providesthese rules to a service provider such as, for example, a parent, ateacher, a physical trainer, etc. These rules can also be obtained froma website or social networking site which allows users to rank, defineand/or make rules for different situations, for example.

In exemplary embodiments, in use, administrators can define criteria(provisioning rules) for available play time per user or use of anyelectronic systems. By way of non-limiting example, these predefinedrules may be entered into the systems of the present invention, providedto a social networking site for download, or provided to a serviceprovider. The predefined rules can be generally any rules that allow orlimit access to a specific electronic game based on, for example,fitness level and/or physical activity of the user, whether it beassociated with the actual game play or other activities such as anexercise routine. These rules can generally be, e.g., a user can play acertain electronic game if: (i) the electronic game is registered, (ii)requires physical activity, and/or (iii) the user has exerted himself orherself through physical activity within a predetermined period of time,for a predetermined amount of time, in which case, the user can play anelectronic game for the same predetermined amount of time. By way ofmore specific examples, the predefined rules may include:

-   -   (i) for every “X” minutes of exertion during game play, a user        earns “X” type of points or credits for additional game play;    -   (ii) for every “X” minutes of any physical activity, a user can        have an equal amount of time playing or other predefined amount        of time to interact with an electronic game on a gaming console,        smart device or over the Internet using a computing device;    -   (iii) for every “X” minutes of game play or other use of        electronic systems, the user will be deducted “X” amount of time        for access to the game play;    -   (iv) a user who is of a certain age and has a % body fat        measurement below Y % can play predefined games for predefined        periods of time;    -   (v) allow a user to play non-exertive game play as long as the        user's health measurements are maintained below (or above) a        certain threshold;    -   (vi) do not allow game play when the user's fitness level does        not meet a certain threshold, or they user has not had any        monitored physical activity within a predetermined timer period;        and/or    -   (vii) allow continued use of an electronic game by the user when        the physical activity monitored during game play is above a        threshold amount.        In embodiments, the physical exertion can be measured in terms        of calories burned, time spent exerted oneself on the game play        or other activity, type of exertion, quality of exertion, or        accomplishments, or any combination of the above measurements.

The computing device 14 includes a processor 20, memory 22A, an I/Ointerface 24, and a bus 26. The memory 22A can include local memoryemployed during actual execution of program code, bulk storage, andcache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some programcode in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved frombulk storage during execution. In addition, the computing deviceincludes random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and anoperating system (O/S). The memory (e.g., 22A) may store businessintelligence, data mining, regression analysis and/or modeling andsimulation tools for execution by the processor 20.

The computing device 14 is in communication with the external I/Odevice/resource 28 and the storage system 22B. For example, the I/Odevice 28 can comprise any device that enables an individual to interactwith the computing device 14 (e.g., user interface) or any device thatenables the computing device 14 to communicate with one or more othercomputing devices using any type of communications link. The externalI/O device/resource 28 may be for example, a handheld device, PDA,handset, keyboard, gaming controller, etc.

In general, the processor 20 executes computer program code (e.g.,program control 44), which can be stored in the memory 22A and/orstorage system 22B. Moreover, in accordance with aspects of theinvention, the program control 44 controls a monitoring module 200, anaccess module 205 and a rules module 210, e.g., the processes describedherein. The monitoring module 200, access module 205 and rules module210 can be implemented as one or more program code in the programcontrol 44 stored in memory 22A as separate or combined modules.Additionally, the monitoring module 200, access module 205 and rulesmodule 210 may be implemented as separate dedicated processors or asingle or several processors to provide the function of these tools.

In embodiments, the monitoring module 200 is configured to monitor thephysical activity of a user. The monitored activity can be obtained bymany different methods and combinations thereof. For example, thephysical activity of the user can be obtained by many different types ofsensors or monitors such as, for example, motion sensors, heart ratemonitors, caloric monitors, scales, game controllers (e.g., gaming pads)or other biometric sensors and/or monitors that can monitor or obtain,for example, physical exertion, weight, body fat, bone density,perspiration, and so forth. The physical activity can also be obtainedby other methods such as, for example, monitoring of an odometer orspeedometer of, for example, treadmill or stationary or non-stationarybicycle, stepping devices, weight machines or other exercise equipment,or smart scales, logged time at a gym or exercise facility, orattendance at a gym or exercise class, etc.

The information obtained from the different types of sensors or monitorsor other methods discussed herein and/or known to those of ordinaryskill can be provided to the monitoring module 200 by wireless or othercommunication mechanisms as described herein. In further embodiments,the monitoring module 200 can be part of the gaming console, itself, andthe measured activity can be provided by the gaming devices of thegaming console, e.g., movement of the joystick, game controllers, etc.Alternatively or in addition, the monitoring module 200 can be providedon another computing device (also representative of FIG. 1), and theinformation provided to the monitoring module 200 by the e.g., movementof the joystick, game controllers, etc.

The access module 205 can use the information obtained from themonitoring module 200 and, using the predefined rules defined in orobtained by the rules module 210, allow access to electronic systemssuch as, for example, an electronic game. More specifically, inembodiments, the access module 205 will use the predefined rules storedin the rules module 210 (or storage system 22B) to allow a user to playor limit play, for example, of an electronic game. For example, theaccess module 205 manages access to any of a plurality of electronicsystems based on the monitored fitness level and/or physical activitybeing in compliance or non-compliance with the provisioned rules. By wayof non-limiting examples, depending on the predefined rules, the accessmodule 205 can:

-   -   (i) allow access to certain electronic games;    -   (ii) deny access to certain electronic games;    -   (iii) deny access to all electronic games; and/or    -   (iv) allow a user to play an electronic game based on credits        obtained or earned, etc.

While executing the computer program code, the processor 20 can readand/or write data to/from memory 22A, storage system 22B, and/or I/Ointerface 24. The program code executes the processes of the invention.The bus 26 provides a communications link between each of the componentsin the computing device 14.

The computing device 14 can comprise any general purpose computingarticle of manufacture capable of executing computer program codeinstalled thereon (e.g., a personal computer, server, etc.). However, itis understood that the computing device 14 is only representative ofvarious possible equivalent-computing devices that may perform theprocesses described herein. To this extent, in embodiments, thefunctionality provided by the computing device 14 can be implemented bya computing article of manufacture that includes any combination ofgeneral and/or specific purpose hardware and/or computer program code.In each embodiment, the program code and hardware can be created usingstandard programming and engineering techniques, respectively.

Similarly, the computing infrastructure 12 is only illustrative ofvarious types of computer infrastructures for implementing theinvention. For example, in embodiments, the server 12 comprises two ormore computing devices (e.g., a server cluster) that communicate overany type of communications link, such as a network, a shared memory, orthe like, to perform the process described herein. Further, whileperforming the processes described herein, one or more computing deviceson the server 12 can communicate with one or more other computingdevices external to the server 12 using any type of communications link.The communications link can comprise any combination of wired and/orwireless links; any combination of one or more types of networks (e.g.,the Internet, a wide area network, a local area network, a virtualprivate network, etc.); and/or utilize any combination of transmissiontechniques and protocols.

Exemplary System

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary system implementing aspects of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows a user 100 interacting with agaming console 250. In embodiments, the gaming console 250 can berepresentative of the computing infrastructure of FIG. 1. The gamingconsole 250 can also be, for example, a standalone gaming console, apersonal computing device or a smart phone or other mobile device thatis capable of playing electronic games. In embodiments, the gamingconsole 250 includes a gaming controller 250 a, which is representativeof a joystick or other controlling device (e.g., gaming pad, chair,racket, etc.).

The system of FIG. 2 further shows a computing system 260, which can berepresentative of a computing device of a service provider or otheradministrator. In embodiments, the computing system 260 can also berepresentative of the computing infrastructure of FIG. 1. Inembodiments, the computing system 260 can include the modules 200, 205and 210, as discussed above, and can be part of or separate from thegaming console 250. The computing system 260 may be connected to thegaming console 250 and/or directly to the gaming controller 250 athrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

In addition, a website, social networking site and/or third partyservice provider, all of which are represented as a computing system270, is connected to the computing system 260. The computing system 270may be connected to the computing system 260, gaming console 250 and/ordirectly to the gaming controller 250 a through any type of network,including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), orthe connection may be made through the Internet using an InternetService Provider. It should be understood that each of the gamingconsole 250, computing system 260 and website, social networking siteand/or third party service provider 270 (computing system 270), mayreside on a single computing device (represented as the surroundingdashed lines) or may be separate components or any combination thereof.In embodiments, the computing system 270 may provide default rules(provisions) to the rules module 210.

One or more monitors and/or sensors 280 may also be connected to thecomputing system 270, computing system 260, gaming console 250 and/orthe gaming controller 250 a through any type of network, including alocal area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connectionmay be made through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider. Theone or more monitors, as discussed above, may be any biometricsensor/monitor, as well as other devices that can monitor physicalactivity such as, for example, an odometer or speedometer, to name acouple. The information obtained from the monitors and/or sensors 280can be provided to the computing system 260 and, more specifically, anycombination of the modules 200, 205, 210, to be used with the rules inorder to determine and/or manage access to an electronic system, e.g.,electronic game.

In use, any physical activity of the user 100 may be transmitted to thecomputing system 260. This transmission may be a direct transmission orthrough the gaming console 250, for example. The physical activity canbe associated with current activity associated with a game being played,physical activity of a previous game or physical activity not associatedwith any electronic game. In the latter scenario, the physical activitycan be associated with previous exercise or other physical activity. Inadditional embodiments, the biometric information of a user can beprovided to the computing system 260 (e.g., monitoring module 200)either directly or through the gaming console 250. This biometricactivity may be, for example, age of the user, weight of the user,percentage of body fat, as well as any other criteria that can be usedto gauge the health of the user such as, for example, standing heartrate, oxygen saturation, etc.

Predefined rules can be provided to the computing system 260 (e.g.,rules module 210) either directly or through the gaming console 250 orcomputing system 270. In embodiments, these rules can be used to controlaccess to the gaming console 250. The predefined rules can be, forexample, provided by any administrator, including a service provider. Inthe case of using a social networking site, for example, default rulescan be selected by the administrator. For example, in embodiments, theadministrator would select one or more default rules that were providedfrom a third party, that matches the required or desired rules of theadministrator. In embodiments, the present invention contemplates thatmany different rules can be mixed and matched for a desired outcome,depending on a particular circumstance. The default rules can also beconfigurable (e.g., changed or modified) by the administrator andprovided to the rules module 210, or uploaded into the social network orto a service provider, for example.

In embodiments, based on the biometric information and the rules, theaccess module 205 can provide access to the gaming console 250. Morespecifically, in embodiments, the access module 205 can, for example,review the biometric information and match the biometric information tothe rules. If there are matches, the access module 205 can then providesome limited access to the gaming console 250, in accordance with therules. If there are no matches, or based on the biometric informationreceived, the access module 205 can deny access to the gaming console orany particular game played on the gaming console 250. For example, inthe latter scenario, the gaming console 250 can automatically registerwith the access module 205 which game is currently loaded into thegaming console (or, in the case of a personal computer or smart phone orother mobile device, which game is currently on the device or beingdownloaded onto the device.) The computing systems 260, 270 and/or 280can determine which electronic games provide physical activity and whichgames do not require physical activity.

Flow Diagram

FIGS. 3-5 show exemplary flows for performing aspects of the presentinvention. The steps of FIGS. 3-5 may be implemented in the environmentof FIG. 1, for example. The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figuresillustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possibleimplementations of systems, methods and computer program productsaccording to various embodiments of the present invention. In thisregard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent amodule, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer programproduct accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable mediumproviding program code for use by or in connection with a computer orany instruction execution system. The software and/or computer programproduct can be implemented in the environment of FIG. 1. For thepurposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readablemedium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate,propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with theinstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The medium can be anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium.Examples of a computer-readable storage medium include a semiconductoror solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magneticdisk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks includecompact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disc-read/write (CD-R/W)and DVD.

In embodiments, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to perform the processes described herein. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, deploy, support, etc., thecomputer infrastructure that performs the process steps of the inventionfor one or more customers. These customers may be, for example, anybusiness that uses technology. In return, the service provider canreceive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or feeagreement and/or the service provider can receive payment from the saleof advertising content to one or more third parties.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary flow for a process in accordance withaspects of the present invention. At step 300, some base set of creditsare allotted to allow initial play time on an electronic device. At step305, administrative provisions, e.g., rules, can also be provided by anadministrator. The administrative provisions, in addition to those notedabove, can include a set of electronic games that are known to requirephysical activity and non-physical activity. At step 310, a userinserts/starts an electronic game. At step 315, the program controldetermines the type of electronic game, e.g., validates the electronicgame as an “approved” game via rules of step 305 (e.g. requires physicalactivity or does not require physical activity).

If the game does not require physical activity, at step 320, the programcontrol determines if sufficient credits exist to play an electronicgame. At step 325, the program control can inform the user of amount oftime left, new levels obtained, etc. based on available credits. If, atstep 320, the program control determines that the game does requirephysical activity, then the process proceeds to step 330. At step 330,the user can be permitted to play the game involving physical activity.

FIG. 4 shows additional processes in accordance with aspects of theinvention. At step 400, the gaming system or other computing systemnoted above, measures physical activity of the user via methods such asbut not limited to: video analysis of in-room movement, infraredanalysis of in-room movement, bio-metric feedback systems such asinclusion of heart rate monitor in handheld unit or other relateddevice, detection of perspiration by handheld unit or other relateddevice, etc. At step 405, the gaming system or other computing systeminputs physical activity to the system of the present invention. At step410, the program control converts the input into points/credits (e.g.,time that can be used to play electronic games, depending on whetherphysical or non-physical activity is required) that are awarded to theuser's account. These points and/or credits can then be transferred foradditional playing time on the same game, a different game, etc.

For example, for burning “X” amount of calories, or running a certaindistance, or being active for “X” amount of time, the program controlcan allocate one or more credits, which are redeemable for more playingtime on the same or different electronic game, new levels of a game,etc., regardless of whether the electronic game requires physicalactivity, for example. It should be understood, as discussed above, thatthe measurement of physical activity may be associated with non-gamingsystems, and applied to the gaming system paradigm. By way ofillustrative example, the gaming system can receive information from atreadmill that shows a user logged in and ran two miles, burned 400calories, etc. Doing so could then allow exertion accomplished outsideof the gaming system, itself, to be transferred to credit within thedesired entertainment system.

FIG. 5 shows a swim lane diagram implementing processes in accordancewith aspects of the present invention. The swim lane diagram includesthe following actors: an administrator, a gaming system and end user(e.g., gamer). For illustrative purposes, the description below isdescribed with reference to a dedicated gaming console as the gamingsystem, but as described previously, the processes of the presentinvention can also be implemented on a personal computer, mobile device,etc. In embodiments, the administrator can be a parent that purchasedthe gaming system or requested the services related to the processes ofthe present invention.

At step 500, the administrator provisions the game and/or gaming system.The provisioning may be provided through an initialization phase thatconfigures the system, secures the administration of the quota systemwith a password, and prompts for one or more games that can be allowed.In embodiments, the provisions can be provided at any time, and entereddirectly into the game system or provided to a service provider, via thegame system or another computing device, which will manage the access toany of the games noted in the provisioning step. Also, as discussedabove, the provisions can be uploaded from a website or socialnetworking site, for example, at the time of initialization or othertime. This process can be reactivated by the administrator to add newusers, add credits, and change rates or other variables (rules).

In embodiments, the provisions can be rules, which are implemented bythe processes of the present invention. For example, these rules may beused to allow or limit access to the electronic game, and may include,for example, the types of games allowed to be used, when they can beused, how long they can be used, etc., depending on many factors suchas, for example, whether physical activity is required, how many creditsare available to the user based on previous activities, etc. At step505, the gaming system saves the provisions for future retrieval andapplication.

At step 510, the administrator provisions a user or set of users thatare allowed to use the system along with specific information aboutthose users such as, for example, quotas for playing time (e.g., openlevels, exceeded thresholds, credits, etc.). This provisioning mayinclude defining a user “id” and password or some other method that endusers will use to identify themselves to the gaming system. This processcan be reactivated by the administrator to add new users, add credits,and change rates or other variables. At step 515, the gaming systemsaves the provisions for later retrieval and application.

The data input into the system at either steps 500 or 510 may includeany combination of the rules described herein, but is not limited to,such information as:

-   -   (i) initial amount of allowed playing time/credits;    -   (ii) crediting rate for a detectable amount of physical activity        (e.g., for every 5 minutes of activity, add 5 credits); and/or    -   (iii) debit rate of playing time (e.g. for every 5 minutes of        play, reduce available credits by 1) Note, playing time may not        reflect any physical activity, so it is possible for user to        “play” the game, but earn no credits as no physical activity is        be exerted.

At step 520, an end user starts the game or gaming system. At step 520,the game or game system can be augmented such that if the system detectsa game has been inserted/started that has not been provisioned by theadministrator, an option appears that allows for provisioning of thegame provided the end user enters the correct id/password. This wouldprovide protection against an end user moving an assigned “file” ordownloading an “account” to another user's system which does not havethe console parameters configured (access authorization). The ability torestart this process may also be invoked through some other key sequenceor option via the gaming system. The system can also be implemented atthe game or account level rather than at the console level.

In embodiments, the program control can monitor and/or use health metricthresholds to determine access to game play. For example, these healthmetrics can be percent body fat, weight, age, bone density, etc., any ofwhich can be used by the program control to determine whether the usercan begin or continue game play, using one or more different games. Forexample, at step 520, the gaming system will validate who the user is(e.g., through a login type system or some biometric identificationsystem) and then determine whether the user is in the system, e.g.,using a look up table in the storage system 22B of FIG. 1, and meets thecriteria to play the requested game. If these criteria are met, e.g.,body fat, weight, age, bone density, etc., are within acceptable limits,the program control will continue to step 540, where the user can beginto play. In this way, it is possible to manage access to any of aplurality of electronic systems (e.g., games) based on the monitoredfitness level and/or physical activity being in compliance ornon-compliance with the provisioned rules.

At step 525, the game system (e.g., program control) looks up the gameand user provisions. For example, step 525 involves matching rules (asprovisioned by the administrator) to the user, that ultimately leads tothe decision at step 530, e.g., is the user allowed to play theelectronic game. The matching, e.g., logic, can include, but is notlimited to the analysis of and of the rules noted herein, in addition toor in combination with any of the information described below, such as:

-   -   (i) Is the game in the quota system?;    -   (ii) What is the exertion rate of this game?;    -   (iii) Is the user in the quota system?;    -   (iv) What is the user's current credit count?; and/or    -   (v) Does the user have enough credits to start playing the game?

The system may optionally connect to other registered health or exertionrelated devices including but not limited to treadmills, steppingdevices, weight machines, smart scales, logged time at a gym or exercisefacility, or attendance at a school gym class, etc.

If the answer to step 530 is negative, e.g., does not match any of therules or combination of rules as provisioned by the administrator, theuser is not allowed to play the game or is only allowed limited accessto a game, e.g., play only portions of the game that require physicalactivity. This may include the presentation of some descriptive messagestating why and may allow for an administrative action (providedpassword is provided) to allow the game, update users credits, etc.

If it is determined at step 530 that the rules or combination of rulesas provisioned by the administrator are met, the process continues tostep 535. At step 535, the game system will start game play and continueto monitor the game activity. The process can revert back to step 530 atpredetermined times, e.g., every minute, five minutes, etc., todetermine whether the rules are still met and that the user can continueplaying the game. If the rules (or any predetermined combinationthereof) are not met, the process ends (e.g., game ends) at step 545.Otherwise, at step 545, the user can begin or continue play of theelectronic game.

At step 535, the gaming system monitors, for example, the credit/debitrate of the game, e.g., whether the user has enough credits to continueplaying, and the physical activity of the user. Here, the gaming systemdebits the end users' credits for each predefined amount of game playtime (e.g., 1 credit for every 5 minutes) as defined by theadministrators input in the system. In addition, the gaming systemmonitors the physical activity using one or more input devices availableto the system. These may include in any combination with the devicesdescribed herein, but are not limited to:

-   -   (i) video camera(s);    -   (ii) game pads (e.g. exercise mats with sensors, exercise steps        with sensors, etc.);    -   (iii) game chairs;    -   (iv) game controllers; and/or    -   (v) other devices that can measure some form of use and exertion        of effort by the user (e.g. a controller built into a tennis        racquet, skate board with sensors, etc).

Input from these devices is analyzed by the gaming system and anexertion rate can be calculated. These calculations may be solely basedupon input data of the administrator, built into the system, measured bythe actual input devices themselves, or from some other source (e.g.,configuration data, dynamic data acquired over the Internet, data inputby an observer, etc). This analysis is used to credit the end user witha certain amount of credits based upon his/her physical exertion. Inaddition, the program control at step 540, acts as a monitor and canperform an analysis as described for at step 525. In short, that is, ifthe user during game play exhausts his/her available credits, the systemmay end the game play.

Accordingly, in this way, the systems and methods of the presentinvention provide new management methods, implemented in hardware andsoftware, for gaming systems. These techniques allow additional controlsand incentives to be placed around certain activities, so that normallysedate activities can be predicated on other, more health-promotingactions for the user.

In additional embodiments, the gaming system can be integrated with apeer-to-peer or crowd source system, e.g., social network, which allowsfor checking of how “physical” a game might be, how much different typesof detectable exertions should be “worth”, e.g., credits, etc. Formobile gaming systems, the system may be implemented and accessed onsome remote server such as that shown in FIG. 1. This server may beconfigured when the device is initially provisioned, when a game isadded, etc., as already discussed herein. In some embodiments, thesystems and methods may automatically adjust thresholds to assist inweight management. For example, if the system is providing “X” activitycredits for non-active game play and the user is gaining weight, thosecredits may be reduce to require the user to be more active to gainadditional non-active credits. This may be tracked by a scale, forexample, that is connected to the systems of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims, if applicable, areintended to include any structure, material, or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description of the present invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprincipals of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Accordingly, while the invention has beendescribed in terms of embodiments, those of skill in the art willrecognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications and inthe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method implemented in a computer infrastructurehaving program code stored on a computer readable hardware storagedevice, the program comprising: program code to provision rulesassociated with a user and at least one of health metrics and physicalactivity of the user; program code to determine that the user can accessone of a plurality of electronic systems for additional time based onthe user achieving a threshold level associated with the provision rulesof the at least one of the health metrics and the physical activity ofthe user; and program instructions to augment a game system, when thegame system detects that an electronic game has been inserted or startedand has not been provisioned, by providing an option that allows forprovisioning of the electronic game provided the user enters a correctid and password.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising programinstructions to monitor the at least one of the health metrics and thephysical activity of the user over a predetermined time, wherein themonitoring of the physical activity comprises monitoring the physicalactivity of the user during use of the electronic game of the pluralityof electronic systems.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the monitoringof the physical activity is measured in terms of physical exertion ofthe user comprising at least one of calories burned, time spent exertingoneself on game play or other activity, type of exertion, and quality ofexertion.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the physical activity ismonitored when the user is at least one of: using exercise equipment;logged time at a gym or exercise facility or attendance at an exerciseclass, and information about the physical activity is sent to theelectronic game and is converted to credits for use in accessing andplaying the electronic game of the plurality of electronic systems. 5.The method of claim 2, wherein the monitoring of the physical activityis monitored by at least one of sensors and monitors during game play ofthe electronic game of the plurality of electronic systems, themonitored physical activity is provided to a computing system whichallows continued use of the electronic game by the user when thephysical activity is above the threshold level, wherein the thresholdlevel is associated with a percentage body fat measurement.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the provisioning of the rules comprisesallowing the user to participate in electronic games that requirephysical activity.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising managingaccess of the user, wherein the managing access comprises: crediting anaccount of the user with credits to use any of the plurality ofelectronic systems based on the at least one of the health metrics andthe physical activity of the user, wherein the credits are used to playa different electronic game on any of the plurality of electronicsystems; and debiting the account of the user over time to limit accessto the any of the plurality of electronic systems.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the managing access is provided by a computing systemthat determines which games are provisioned.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein the managing access further comprises reducing the credits inresponse to the user gaining weight.
 10. The method of claim 7, whereinthe managing access further comprises adding the credits in response tothe user exercising on an external device.
 11. The method of claim 1,further comprising program instructions to deny the user access to theelectronic systems when the game system detects that the electronic gamehas been started.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the denying theuser access occurs when the user does not achieve the threshold levelassociated with the provision rules.
 13. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising distinguishing between electronic games that require physicalactivity and non-physical activity, and allowing one of: the user toplay the electronic games that require physical activity and providingcredits for physical game play.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein theprovisioning of the rules is provided by an administrator to managelimits on playing time or use of electronic systems based upon physicalactivity.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the provisioning of therules is obtained from a social networking site.